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Report: Billy Gillispie checks into the Mayo Clinic

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This coming from the Lubbock Avalance-Journal:

An ambulance was sent to the home of Texas Tech basketball coach Billy Gillispie, at about 6 p.m. Monday, according to Sgt. Jeff Baker of the Lubbock Police Department.

This is the second time in 10 days that an emergency call has been made from Gillispie’s home. On August 31st, he was taken to the hospital after complaining of a pain that felt like a stroke or a heart attack.

UPDATE (6:21 pm): According to ESPN.com, Gillispie has left Texas and will check into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for his stress and high blood pressure:

Texas Tech coach Billy Gillispie left Lubbock on a private plane on Tuesday afternoon to fly to Rochester, Minn., where he will seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic for stress and high blood pressure, a source close to Gillispie told ESPN.com.

The source said Gillispie had hoped to admit himself last week, but he had to wait for a spot to become available at the prestigious facility.

Although it’s unclear how long Gillispie will be away from Lubbock, the source said he fully intends to coach the Red Raiders this season.


After losing his job as the head coach of Kentucky, Gillispie has seen his life -- and career -- spiral out of control. His mother, who he lived with and cared for, died of lung cancer in February of 2011. A few months later, news came out that he had lost millions of dollars in a Ponzi Scheme. In July, his nephew drowned in a wave runner accident. And now he’s dealing with a team revolting against him and the reality that his career as a basketball coach could be coming to a close.

Regardless of which reports you believe about how he treated his players at Texas Tech, I think we can all agree that what he’s going through would take a toll on anyone of us.

The most interesting part about that second block quote is the last sentence: “he fully intends to coach the Red Raiders this season.” It may not be up to him, but Gillispie is doing a great job prolonging the confrontation. Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt has been trying to meet with him since August 31st. It may not be happening anytime soon now.